Understanding and Correcting Run-on Sentences
Learn to identify and correct run-on sentences with Dr. Nour Toumi. Explore the types of run-on sentences and ways to fix them using periods, semicolons, coordinating conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions. Understand the importance of proper punctuation in English writing.
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Sentence Problems Dr. Nour TOUMI
Objectives 1. Identify run-on sentences 2. Recognise the different ways to correct run-on sentences
Run-on sentences A run-on sentence in English, also known as a fused- sentence, occurs when two or more sentences are joint together without being properly punctuated. It is a grammatical mistake that needs to be corrected.
Types of run-on sentences 1. Two sentences joined without any punctuation I love watching horror movies they keep me heedful. An encyclopaedia is a valuable source of information it contains summaries of every area of knowledge.
2. Two sentences are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction (this type of error is called a comma splice). Japanese people live longer than most of other nationalities, they eat healthful diet. People should limit the amount of animal fat in their diets, they risk getting heart disease.
3. When two sentences are joined by using a transitional word (however, nonetheless, furthermore, moreover..) and commas. Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater, therefore, food cooks faster in salt water. The cost of attending a community college is low, however/ nevertheless/ nonetheless/ still many students need financial aid.
Ways to correct run on sentences 1. Use a period (full stop). 2. Use a semicolon. 3. Use a coordinating conjunction and a comma. 4. Use a subordinating conjunction and an appropriate punctuation.
Coordinating conjunction Conjunction Function Example and To add a similar or equal idea They eat a variety of fish and vegetables, and they eat lightly. for Connects a reason to a result Japanese people live longer than other nationalities, for they eat healthful diet.
nor Connects two negative sentences They do not eat a considerable amount of meat, nor do they eat diary products. but Connects two different ideas Diet is one factor in how long people live, but it is not the only factor. or To add an alternative possibility People should limit the amount of animal fat in their diet, or they risk getting heart disease.
yet Connects equal contrasting ideas Cigarette smoking is a factor in life expectancy, yet Japanese and other long-lived Asians have a very high rate of tobacco use. so Connects a result to a reason Doctors said that stress is another longevity factor, so try to avoid stress if you wish to live a longer life.
Conjunctive adverbs To add a similar or equal idea also besides, furthermore, in addition, moreover, Community colleges offer preparation for many occupations; also/ besides/ furthermore/ moreover/in addition, they prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
To add unexpected or surprising continuation however, nonetheless, nevertheless, still, The cost for attending a community college is low; however /nonetheless/nevertheless/still, many students need financial aid. Add a complete contrast in contrast, on the other hand, Tuition at a company college is low; on the other hand/ in contrast, tuition at private schools is high
To add an expected result accordingly, as a result, consequently, hence, therefore, thus, Native and non-native English speakers have different needs; accordingly/ as a result/ consequently/ hence/ therefore/ thus, most schools provide separate English classes for each group. To add an example for example, for instance, Most colleges now having a writing requirement for graduation; for example/for instance, students must pass a writing test before they register for their final semester.
Subordinating conjunctions Reason (why) as because since I cannot take evening classes as I work at night. because since Purpose (what for) So that In order to Many people emigrate so that their children can have a better life. in order that
Partial contrast although even though though I love my brother although we disagree almost about everything. even though though Contrast (direct opposition) while whereas My brother likes classical music, while I prefer hard work. whereas
Example 1 I love watching horror movies they keep me heedful. I love watching horror movies. They keep me heedful. I love watching horror movies; they keep me heedful. I love watching horror movies, for they keep me heedful. I love watching horror movies because they keep me heedful.
An encyclopaedia is a valuable source of information it contains summaries of every area of knowledge. An encyclopaedia is a valuable source of information. It contains summaries of every area of knowledge. An encyclopaedia is a valuable source of information; it contains summaries of every area of knowledge. An encyclopaedia is a valuable source of information, for it contains summaries of every area of knowledge. An encyclopaedia is a valuable source of information because/as/ since it contains summaries of every area of knowledge.
Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater, therefore, food cooks faster in salt water. Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater; therefore/accordingly/ as a consequence/ as a result/ consequently/hence/thus, food cooks faster in salt water. Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater, so food cooks faster in salt water.
My family went to Australia then they emigrated to Canada. My family went to Australia. Then they emigrated to Canada. My family went to Australia; then they emigrated to Canada. My family went to Australia, and then they emigrated to Canada. My family went to Australia before they emigrated to Canada. After my family went to Australia, they emigrated to Canada.
Practice 1. New York City is very cosmopolitan, people from many cultures and ethnic groups live there. 2. Skiing is a dangerous sport you can easily break your leg or your neck. 3. If you cannot find any information on a subject, you can always ask a librarian to help you, they are paid to assist students. 4. Media outlets have a duty to deliver the news with integrity, they need to examine all stories.
5. The federal government has two main functions. It builds and maintains infrastructure, it takes care of the health and well-being of citizens. 6. The federal government has three main functions. It builds and maintains infrastructure, it takes care of the health and well-being of citizens and it looks after the nation s security. 7. Obesity is a growing problem among today s youth it is a problem that can be resolved with care and focus.
8. Firstly, school hours are limited, people want their children to maximise their learning during school timings. 9. Some argue, punishment is vital to help children digest the concept of right and wrong.
Key answers 1. New York City is very cosmopolitan. People from many cultures and ethnic groups live there. New York City is very cosmopolitan; people from many cultures and ethnic groups live there. New York City is very cosmopolitan because people from many cultures and ethnic groups live there. New York City is very cosmopolitan, for people from many cultures and ethnic groups live there.
2. Skiing is a dangerous sport. You can easily break your leg or your neck. Skiing is a dangerous sport as you can easily break your leg or your neck.
3. If you cannot find any information on a subject, you can always ask a librarian to help you. They are paid to assist students. If you cannot find any information on a subject, you can always ask a librarian to help you as/because they are paid to assist students. If you cannot find any information on a subject, you can always ask a librarian to help you, for they are paid to assist students.
4. Media outlets have a duty to deliver the news with integrity. They need to examine all stories. Media outlets have a duty to deliver the news with integrity; therefore, they need to examine all stories. Media outlets have a duty to deliver the news with integrity, so they need to examine all stories.
5. The federal government has two main functions. It builds and maintains infrastructure. It takes care of the health and well-being of citizens. The federal government has two main functions: it builds and maintains infrastructure, and it takes care of the health and well-being of citizens.
6. The federal government has three main functions. It builds and maintains infrastructure, it takes care of the health and well-being of citizens, and it looks after the nation s security.
7. Obesity is a growing problem among todays youth. It is a problem that can be resolved with care and focus. Obesity is a growing problem among today s youth; it is a problem that can be resolved with care and focus. Obesity is a growing problem among today s youth, yet it is a problem that can be resolved with care and focus. Obesity is a growing problem among today s youth; however/nonetheless/ nevertheless, it is a problem that can be resolved with care and focus. Although it can be resolved with care and focus, obesity is a growing problem among today s youth.
8. Firstly, school hours are limited, so people want their children to maximise their learning during school timings. Firstly, school hours are limited; consequently, people want their children to maximise their learning during school timings. Firstly, as school hours are limited, people want their children to maximise their learning during school timings.
Some argue that punishment is vital to help children digest the concept of right and wrong.
Most of the following sentences contain run-on or comma splice errors. If you find a correct sentence, write C in the left-hand column. If the sentence contains a run-on or comma splice error, write either RO or CS. Then correct the error using any of the techniques you have learned. Use all methods at least once. Example: RO The space shuttle program has been very expensive it has also been very successful. The space shuttle program has been very expensive, but it has also been very successful. (coordinating conjunction added)
1. The shuttle is designed to carry large payloads, there are accommodations for up to seven crew members. 2. The orbiter stage of the spacecraft has a lifetime of one hundred missions, the winged orbiter can make unpowered landings on its return to earth. 3. The shuttle is very flexible, for it can deploy and retrieve satellites.
4. Its supporters saw it as a step to space exploration they passed legislation to fund the project. The first test flight occurred in 1981 various design problems surfaced. The first operational flight happened in 1982, two communication satellites were placed in orbit. The seventh mission was memorable, for its crew included the first U.S. female astronaut, Sally K. Ride. The program had many successes the program was in some trouble. 5. 6. 7. 8.
9. The shuttle program has been lagging in its commercial plan, the military began absorbing most of the payload launches. 10.Despite two major accidents, the U.S. government has not given up on the space shuttle program the program is still being funded. 11.The sun dominates our solar system its huge mass produces enormous gravitational force.
Please check Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing academic English (4th ed.). The Longman Academic Writing Series. Pages: 169, 183-193, 291-299.
